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...Believe What I Say | 
 enlarge | Artist: James Hunter
Label: Ace Records UK
Category: Music
List Price: $22.98
Buy New: $16.02
You Save: $6.96 (30%)
New (10) Used (2) from $15.70
Rating:  9 reviews
Sales Rank: 177630
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
UPC: 029667163620
EAN: 0029667163620
ASIN: B0000009K8
Release Date: November 5, 1996
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW, Factory Sealed items direct from the Studios. 30 Day Satisfaction Guarantee. Quick International Airmail!
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| Tracks:
| • | Two Can Play | | • | Way Down Inside | | • | The Very Thought of You - James Hunter, Noble, Ray | | • | It Ain'y Funny | | • | Turn on Your Love Light - James Hunter, Scott, Joseph Wade | | • | Let Me Know | | • | I'll Walk Away | | • | I Wanna Get Old With You | | • | Hallelujah, I Love Her So - James Hunter, Charles, Ray [1] | | • | Believe What I Say | | • | Out of Sight - James Hunter, Wright, Ted | | • | Don't Step on It | | • | Hear Me Calling | | • | Ain't Nothing You Can Do - James Hunter, Scott, Joseph |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Album Description
The best blue-eyed soul voice from the U.K. in many a decade backs up his vocal skills with his own finely crafted R&B songs. Duets with Doris Troy and Van Morrison complete a sublime album of rhythm and soul music. The recent album on Rounder "People Gonna Talk", has generated renewed interest in this critically-acclaimed and talented performer.
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| Customer Reviews:
Britain does it again! March 14, 2008
Veggiechiliqueen
What started out as a uniquely American genre, that of blues, soul, and gospel, has somehow managed to become the creative property of Britain ... ever since the decline of classic Motown, Britain has been churning out an amazingly talented bunch of blue-eyed soul singers and blues musicians. One of the more recent additions is James Hunter, who first burst onto the scene under the stage name Howlin' Wilf in the 1980s (Cry Wilf!). His several solo recordings are strongly influenced by R&B, early rock and roll, and soul. His 1994 debut Believe What I Say includes guest performances by Van Morrison (Hunter also appeared on several of Van's albums during the '90s and was part of Morrison's Rhythm & Blues Revue).
Believe What I Say opens with the jivin' Two Can Play, with its sassy staccato sax riffs punctuating this tale of infidelity. Hunter's smooth, sensual update of torch song The Very Thought Of You comes off as more late-night smoky jazz, with a delivery that Ray Charles would be proud of. Turn On Your Love Light features a smokin' duet with Van Morrison.
One of the few covers is Ray Charles' Hallelujah I Love Her So. Compared to Charles' original, which leaned towards Big Band brassy, Hunter's backing saxes sound the same on every track, and I felt the instrumentals lacking punch in the first half, but the bridge (with guitar) redeems the song and gospel feeling creeps in toward the finale.
Out of Sight is a tight soul ditty that pays homage to James Brown with its knockout brass/drum punches. Hear Me Calling has some hand-waving gospel vibes going, complete with call-and-response chorus.
The majority of the songs sound like they could have come off the radio from the mid-'50s to late '60s. They're pleasant enough, but the sameness of the backing detracts from the potential to differentiate between tracks. Hunter's writing chops create songs that feel authentically retro. His singing voice combines elements of Ray Charles and Sam Cooke, and his guitar shows heavy influence from Chuck Berry and legendary blues guitarists such as B.B. King.
Hunter has continued to polish his sound on his subsequent solo releases Kick It Around and People Gonna Talk, but it's enjoyable to hear his first solo work after his turn with Howlin' Wilf and the Vee-Jays. He's one of the most authentic of the current crop of blue-eyed soul artists, and really inhabits that long-lost R&B/soul/blues era as if it were only yesterday instead of decades ago.
Just Buy It April 18, 2007
David Milikin (Connecticut)
If your reading this,then you are at least interested in James Hunter's music.Well there's a reason that you see a 5 star rating from most of the reviewers.Listen to the sound samples,if you must,and then when your done,treat yourself to a great cd.You won't regret the purchase and I know James Hunter will make you feel good.Now lets dance.
 Believe What You Say November 6, 2006
Richard T. Waibel (Mill VAlley, CA)
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
A great piece of musical history. Showing the Irish rock.
James Hunter August 14, 2006
William Cervini (Cave Creek, AZ)
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I saw James in Phoenix last night. He and his group are just fantastic. Every review above is right on. I actually liked his set better than the mainliner - Boz Scaggs. Hunter's energy, showmanship and voice are just outstanding!
Being a Bari Sax player, I was BLOWN AWAY by his Tenor and Bari Sax players.
All that great music from James on guitar and vocals, a tenor sax, a baritone sax, an upright string bass player, keyboards and drums is unbelievable.
Bill Cave Creek, AZ
August 7, 2006 August 8, 2006
Brown Eyed Girl (Alexandria, VA)
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I saw James Hunter with Van Morrison last night and am ordering two CDs today -- this guy is fabulous! I can't understand why we're just now hearing about him, given that his first UK release was 10 years ago. He's touring this summer with Van, Susan Tedeschi, Los Lonely Boys and Solomon Burke -- if you get a chance to see him, do yourself a favor and GO! Meanwhile, I can vouch for the CDs, having heard most of the material live.
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